African
Journals Online
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
Suspected adverse reactions to veterinary drugs reported in
South Africa (January 1998 - February 2001) : special report
Gehring, R.
120-126
Abstract: The Veterinary Pharmacovigilance Centre received
59 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions during the period
January 1998 - February 2001. The number of reports received
increased after the establishment of a formal procedure for
recording and responding to reports. The number of reports
received per species was: dogs 19, cats 15, cattle 7, sheep/
goats 6, chickens 4, pigs 3, horses 2 and giraffe 1. Many
different types of adverse reactions were reported, including
lack of efficacy, hypersensitivity, inappropriate use of products
by non-veterinarians, known adverse effects and adverse effects
encountered with extra-label use of products.
Canine distemper infections, with special reference to
South Africa, with a review of the literature : review article
Leisewitz, A. L.Carter, A.Van Vuuren, M.Van Blerk, L.
127-136
Abstract: Canine distemper virus is a member of the genus Morbillivirus
of the family Paramyxoviridaethat causes severe disease in
dogs and a range of wild mammals. The clinical signs relate
essentially to the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central
nervous systems. In South Africa, infection with Ehrlichia
canisand canine parvovirus may present similarly. Many dogs
will initially present with a wide range of central nervous
system signs without any history of systemic disease. A recent
South African study evaluating ante mortem diagnosis
highlighted the importance of recognising clinical signs,
cerebrospinal fluid IgG titres, serum IgM titres and
immunocytochemistry of epithelial tissue. A 2-year retrospective
evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from dogs
presented to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
indicates that distemper infection is common, and this disease
should routinely be suspected in cases of diverse neurological
disease in dogs. The South African dog population is specifically
at high risk for the disease because of the large pool of
unvaccinated, reproductively-active dogs that expose the wildlife
resources of the country to risk of fatal disease. Outbreaks of
disease in dogs continue to occur in developed and developing
communities in both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs worldwide,
and have also been described in a wide range of free-ranging
wildlife, including seals, dolphins and lions, and in endangered
zoo animals. Modified live virus vaccines have contributed
markedly to disease control in the dog population but have caused
mortality in some wild carnivores. New recombinant vaccines are
being developed that will be safe in wild animals. The
pathogenesis of CNS demyelination has been compared to various
important demyelinating diseases in humans and, amongst other
things, relates to down-regulation of the oligodendrocyte gene
coding for myelin synthesis and non-immunocyte CNS cell
expression of type II major histocompatibility receptors. Early
CNS lesions are characterised by demyelination and later lesions
by perivascular round cell cuffing. Treatment is supportive.
Changes in respiratory function following the intramuscular
administration of etorphine to boer goats (Capra hircus)
: article
Buss, P. E.Meltzer, D. G. A. 137-142
Abstract: The physiological effects on respiratory
function of etorphine (M99, Logos Agvet) (30 µg/kg) administered
intramuscularly were determined in boer goats. The goats were
habituated to the experimental procedures so that respiratory
function could be determined while the animals stood quietly at
rest. This enabled the physiological changes induced by etorphine
to be measured and compared with those obtained before
administration of the immobilising drug. The effectiveness of
diprenorphine (M5050, Logos Agvet) (3 mg/1 mg etorphine) as an
antagonist of the physiological changes induced by the etorphine
treatment was also determined. Etorphine depressed respiratory
function, which resulted in a decrease in PaO2 and an
increase in PaCO2. These changes were limited and
occurred as a result of decreases in respiratory minute volume
and alveolar minute ventilation caused by a decrease in
respiratory rate. The physiological shunt fraction did not change
significantly but there was a significant decrease in percentage
physiological dead space ventilation. It was not possible to
determine how effectively diprenorphine reversed the respiratory
effects due to etorphine.
Influence of sheep breed and application site on the
efficacy of a flumethrin pour-on formulation against ticks :
article
Fourie, L. J.Kok, D.J.Peter, R.J.
143-146
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine
the influence of application site and sheep breed on the efficacy
of a flumethrin (1 % m/v) solution for the control of
'bont'-legged (Hyalomma spp.) and red-legged ticks (Rhipicephalus
evertsi evertsi). This study was conducted from November 1996
to February 1997 on 3 farms in the southwestern Free State
Province. Two trials were conducted on Dorper sheep and 2 on
Merino sheep. For each specific application 30 sheep were
selected and allocated to 3 groups of 10 animals each using
randomisation through minimisation, with pre-treatment total tick
count as only criterion. Groups consisted of an untreated control
group, a group treated with 3 m of a flumethrin (1 % m/v)
solution applied only to the anogenital region, and a group
treated at a dose rate of 1 m flumethrin (1% m/v)/5 kg host body
mass. The total dose volume for animals in the last group was
divided into 3 equal parts and applied to the brisket/axillae,
groin and anogenital regions respectively. Animals grazed under
extensive farming conditions and were infested by ticks that
occurred naturally in the environment. Ticks were counted and
removed weekly over a 6-week period. In all 4 trials, Rhipicephalus
e. evertsi was the dominant tick species, followed, in 3 of
the trials, by Hyalomma spp. Efficacy (%) of control
against ticks for Dorper sheep, treated only on the anogenital
region, was variable, ranging between 29.5 and 97 %. In Merino
sheep the efficacy values ranged between 23.1 and 90 %. The
site-spcific (anogenital region) efficacy of control against
ticks infesting Merino sheep was in general 100 % or almost 100
%. In Dorper sheep the efficacy values were >80 % for 3-5
weeks. The efficacy (%) of control against ticks for sheep
treated on the brisket/axillae, groin and anogenital regions was
always higher compared to sheep treated only on the anogenital
region. In Dorper sheep, efficacy of control was >80 % for up
to 4 weeks and in Merino sheep >80 % for 6 weeks.
The role of parasitic diseases as causes of mortality in
small ruminants in a high-potential farming area in central Kenya
: article
Kagira, J.Kanyari, P. W. N. 150-157
Abstract: A 15-year retrospective study was performed to
determine the role of parasitic diseases in causing mortalities
in small ruminants. In total, 115 (32 %) sheep were diagnosed as
having been killed by parasitic diseases out of 366 that died as
a result of disease. The major cause of mortality was
helminthosis (63 %of all parasitic cases). Most of the
helminthosis cases were attributed to haemonchosis (40 % of
parasitic cases). Heartwater was the second most important
parasitic disease (27 %of all parasitic cases). Ninety-five (26
%) goats were diagnosed to have been killed by parasitic diseases
out of 365 cases presented at the post mortem facility.
Helminthosis was the most frequent cause of mortality (55 % of
the total parasitic diseases). Twenty-six goats were killed by
haemonchosis (27 % of all parasitic diseases). Heartwater was the
second most important parasitic disease, accounting for about 20
% of all parasitic diseases. These findings indicate that viable
helminth and tick control strategies should be devised in order
to reduce mortality caused by helminthosis and heartwater and
thereby achieve improved productivity.
Student perceptions of problem topics / concepts in a
traditional veterinary anatomy course : article
Soley, J.T.Kramer, B.
150-157
Abstract: While particular attention is paid to the nature
and content of anatomy curricula, little has been published about
the actual problem topics/concepts experienced by students of
anatomy. This information is relevant to modifying existing
courses and methods of teaching. The present study thus sought to
identify, by means of a questionnaire administered to students of
veterinary anatomy, perceived problem topics, the possible
reasons for the problems, as well as student suggestions for
solving the problems. Awide range of problem topics was
identified by this survey, of which neuroanatomy, neurohistology
and organogenesis recurred most frequently. A major reason given
for the problems experienced was an inability to conceptualise 3-
dimensional structures. Students requested more time, more
lectures and appealed for a reduction in detail of textual
information. Many of the problems experienced by this group of
students are reflected in other studies of veterinary, medical
and dental students, which suggests the existence of 'universal'
problem topics in the various fields of anatomy. We believe that
these universal problem topics exist in many anatomy courses,
despite the application of innovative teaching methods and
advanced audio-visual technologies. Only by identifying these
topics can suitable strategies (within the constraints of the
particular curriculum) be devised to resolve them.
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple-organ
damage / dysfunction in complicated canine babesiosis : article
Welzl, C.Leisewitz, A.L.Jacobson, L.S.Vaughan-Scott,
T.Myburgh, E.
158-162
Abstract: This study was designed to document the systemic
inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple-organ
dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in dogs with complicated babesiosis,
and to assess their impact on outcome. Ninety-one cases were
evaluated retro-spectively for SIRS and 56 for MODS. The liver,
kidneys, lungs, central nervous system and musculature were
assessed. Eighty-seven percent of cases were SIRS-positive.
Fifty-two percent of the cases assessed for organ damage had
single-organ damage and 48 % had MODS. Outcome was not
significantly affected by either SIRS or MODS, but involvement of
specific organs had a profound effect. Central nervous system
involvement resulted in a 57 times greater chance of death and
renal involvement in a 5-fold increased risk compared to all
other complications. Lung involvement could not be statistically
evaluated owing to co-linearity with other organs, but was
associated with high mortality. Liver and muscle damage were
common, but did not significantly affect outcome. There are
manysimilarities between the observations in this study and
previous human and animal studies in related fields, lending
additional support to the body of evidence for shared underlying
pathophysiological mechanisms in systemic inflammatory states.
Accidental monensin toxicosis in horses in Mozambique :
short communication
Bila, C.G.Perreira, C.L.Gruys, E.
163-164
Abstract: Horses on several farmsin Mozambique were
inadvertently fed with a concentrate containing 69 ppm monensin.
The horses developed acute signs of toxicity and several died.
The animals were depressed, anorectic and paretic before death.
Epistaxis was observed in 1 case. Petechial haemorrhages were
present in the muscles, heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and
spleen in 3 horses necropsied. No significant histopathological
cardiac and skeletal muscle lesions were seen, except in 1 case,
in which there was focal loss of myofibrils.
A case of caprine perineal squamous cell carcinoma in
Botswana : case report
Baipoledi, E.K.
165-166
Abstract: Squamous cell carcinoma of the perineal region
of goats is described for the first time in Botswana. The tumour
was irregularly shaped, cauliflower-like and ulcerated. The
exposed surface had an unpleasant smell and was covered by a
black keratinous exudate. Histopathologically the lesions were
compatible with previous descriptions.
Delusions of parasitosis in clients presenting pets for
veterinary care : case report
Nel, M.Schoeman, J.P.Lobetti, R.G.
167-169
Abstract: The syndrome delusions of parasitosis (DP)
constitutes a psychiatric disorder of humans in which patients
falsely believe that they are infested with parasites. This
report describes 2 cases of DP observed at the Onderstepoort
Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH). The first case involved a
34-year old, single female, who believed that she and her three
cats were being parasitised by insects of unknown origin. Before
referral to the OVAH, she had taken her cats to 2 other
veterinarians and had consulted 2 dermatologists herself. The
second case was a single male who believed that he was being
parasitised by insects originating from his cat. A full
diagnostic evaluation performed on all 4 cats failed to reveal
any dermatological abnormalities. No parasites were seen or
cultured from any of the cats.
Suspected nitrite poisoning in pigs caused by Capsella
bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. ('herderstassie',
shepherd's purse) : case report
Wiese, W.J.Joubert, J.P.J. 170-171
Abstract: Nitrite poisoning in pigs was suspected when 4
of 18 pigs died in a piggery near Ellisras in the Northern
Province. The pigs showed typical brownish discolouration of the
blood at autopsy. It was established that they ingested vegetable
tops and weeds from the adjacent garden as part of their daily
ration. Of the available plants, only Capsella bursa-pastoris
contained nitrites. The drinking water and some of the other
plants tested positive for nitrates but not for nitrites. This is
the first report of suspected nitrite poisoning in pigs caused by
Capsella bursa-pastoris.
28th annual scientific meeting : Parasitological Society of
Southern Africa : conference abstracts 173-180
Abstract: Abstracts of posters and invited papers
presented at the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting - Parasitological
Challenges 2000 and Beyond - 27-29 September 2000, University of
the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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